First Profession of Mother Colette Marie of the Franciscan Sisters Minor: Living the Confraternity of Penitents' Rule and Constitutions as Vowed Religious

What a blessing to be at the First Profession of Mother Colette Marie, foundress and superior of the refounded Franciscan Sisters Minor, a Capuchin Franciscan Third Order Regular Community, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The vision for the Franciscan Sisters Minor is to live, in a poor Franciscan community of women, a religious adaptation of the Rule and Constitutions of the Confraternity of Penitents.

Mother Colette who, before her conversion, worked at MTV for eighteen years, has a strong knowledge of various forms of media which have been and will continue to be a great asset to the community in its apostolate of evangelization through the audio and visual media. The convent of the Franciscan Sisters Minor has a recording studio and computer room for use in this apostolate--the latest equipment even though the community itself wishes to live simply (the convent does not have or want a crock pot as the it doesn't really NEED one--it has a stove).

The Franciscan Sisters Minor prays the full Divine Office daily. Daily Mass attendance is a given. In addition to the work apostolate in evangelization, the community observes two daily Holy Hours daily in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. It also distributes donated bread to local residents and makes a point of befriending them and gently inviting them to Church. The community supports the Franciscan Brothers Minor whose founder Father David Engo is working closely with Mother Colette in the foundation of the Community and who was authorized by Bishop Kevin Rhoades, the Church superior, to receive Mother's vows.

The Franciscan Sisters Minor welcome all inquiries including older vocations. Mother Colette is herself a biological mother of three children and a teen aged grandson. She understands well the ins and outs of motherhood and grandmotherhood and the special considerations regarding clothing, sleeping arrangements, diet, and home visitations needed for aging women. Mother Colette has a joy, a balance, and a prudence so necessary for the foundress of an Order.

Inquiries may be sent to Mother Colette franciscansistersminor@gmail.com  More information is on the Franciscan Sisters Minor link on the Franciscan Brothers Minor website.

Here are some photos of Mother Colette's profession of the vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, and consecration to the Blessed Mother.

Mother Colette enters St. Andrew's Church in a procession prior to her profession.

Mother Colette making temporary profession to live the Rule of Life for the Franciscan Sisters Minor. Vow received by Father David Engo as authorized by Bishop Kevin Rhoades. 

Mother Colette, now clothed in the black veil of profession, receives the Rule and Constitutions of her Order.

After her profession, Mother is congratulated with a Franciscan hug by all twenty-some friars in attendance. 

Mother was then embraced by each of the dozen or so Confraternity of Penitents members present.  

Mother Colette with Fr. David Engo following the profession.

Mother Colette at the pot luck supper reception following  her profession, shown with Confraternity of Penitents members Madeline Pecora Nugent, Sandy Seyfert, and Jackie Stevens.